Film and battery loading method for a single use camera such as a single use APS camera and a camera loaded according to the same

ABSTRACT

A method of pre-loading a camera with film, and specifically a single use camera, is disclosed. According to the disclosed method, the camera is pre-loaded in non-darkroom conditions with the back cover assembled to the camera without exposing any substantial portion of the film to any substantial amounts of light. According to the disclosed embodiment, the camera has a film advance mechanism that employs a manual advance wheel, and the manual advance wheel is rotated in opposing directions to pre-load film from a film cassette in the camera to a film spool compartment and to wind film back into the film cassette from the film spool compartment as exposures are taken. In the disclosed embodiment, the camera is an APS camera, and rotation of the manual advance wheel also opens and closes the APS film cassette&#39;s light lock door. In a final assembly step and if the camera employs a battery, the battery is inserted inside the film spool compartment.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation in part of commonly assigned patentapplication Ser. No. 08/713,780, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,733, entitled"Film Loading Method for an APS Camera and an APS Camera Employing theSame", and, a continuation in part of commonly assigned patentapplication Ser. No. 08/712,928 entitled "Camera with Battery LocatedInside of Film Spool" (now abandoned); both filed Sep. 13, 1996, andboth of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a method of loading film, and abattery, into a single use camera, particularly into a single use APScamera. This invention also relates to a single use camera thatfacilitates such loading method, to a single use camera with a batteryloaded inside of a spool of pre-wound film, and to an APS camera(whether re-usable or single use) having mechanical features foroperating the light lock door of an APS film cassette.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, a new type of film cassette has been developed, sometimescalled a film safe cassette, which has a light lock door and does not,at the time of purchase, or at the time that the film is first insertedinto the camera, have a film leader extending from the cassette tofacilitate film loading. One example of film employing such a cassetteis KODAK® brand ADVANTIX® film. The cameras with which these filmcassettes are used are known as Advanced Photo System, or APS, cameras,and the film safe cassettes for use therewith are sometimes also calledAPS film cassettes. Conventional film cartridges, such as 35 mm filmcartridges, have a film leader extending therefrom at the time ofpurchase, and a brush or similar mechanism at the cartridge's film slotto prevent light from entering the cartridge and exposing film containedtherein. In contrast, a film safe cassette does not have a brush orsimilar mechanism but instead has a light lock door that isautomatically opened by the camera after the film has been loaded. Filmis loaded into and removed from the camera via a film cassette doordisposed on the bottom of the camera. The camera then drives the filmout of the cassette and into a film spooling area on the opposite sideof the camera from the cassette. Before the cassette can be removed fromthe camera, the camera rewinds the film back into the cassette, and thencloses the light lock door. If the light lock door were permitted to beopened in the presence of light, the film inside the cassette would beexposed. Thus, the light lock door, operating in conjunction with thecamera, ensures that film is not inadvertently exposed.

In a conventional camera, such as a conventional 35 mm camera, film isloaded from the back of the camera by opening a back door thereof,dropping the cartridge into the camera, pulling the film leader acrossthe camera, engaging the leader on a take-up spool, then closing theback door. Since opening the light lock door in the presence of lightcan expose the film in a film safe cassette, conventional methods ofloading film cartridges are not suited to loading film safe cassettesinto APS cameras. Moreover, because at least re-usable APS camerasemploy a small cassette door on the bottom of the camera to load andunload the film cassette, there is no back cover or back door that canbe easily opened to practice a conventional loading technique.

So called single use cameras are known in the art. A single use camerais one that is manufactured and sold with the intent of being used onlya single time (i.e., with only one roll of pre-loaded film) by thepurchaser or end user. Single use cameras are usually made of plastic.Film is pre-loaded into the camera during manufacturing, and the camerais sealed closed. This is done by loading the film into the back of thecamera in much the same way as a conventional 35 mm camera is loaded,then securely assembling a back cover to the camera by a lockingmechanism, screws, adhesives, thermal bonding, etc., so that the backcover cannot be easily removed. Typically, a package (such as paper,cardboard or even plastic) is placed around the camera body so that thefilm cannot be removed without destroying at least part of the package,and in some cases, without destroying part of the camera body as well.Additionally, film cannot be easily reloaded into the sealed camera, atleast not without removing the back cover and/or partial destruction ofthe camera body or its packaging. As is known in connection with suchcameras, it is intended that the user return the entire camera, intact,to a developing lab for processing after the user is finished takingexposures. The lab removes the exposed film and discards the camerabody.

Single use APS cameras are also known in the art. It will be appreciatedthat loading a film safe cassette into a single use APS camera presentsspecial problems. The light lock door cannot be opened without exposingthe film in the cassette, so film loading and final camera assembly musttake place in a darkroom. This assembly involves performing thefollowing steps in darkroom conditions: opening the light lock door witha tool or fixture, externally of the camera; driving film from thecassette by rotating the spool inside the cassette either manually, witha tool, or with a fixture, external to the camera; spooling unexposedfilm into a film spool area of the camera either manually or with afixture, external to the camera, and loading the film cassette from theback of the camera (i.e., with the back cover removed); then, assemblingthe back cover to the camera. If the camera requires a battery, thendepending on the construction of the camera, the battery may have to beloaded in darkroom conditions. Thus, loading film into a single use APScamera is cumbersome, time consuming, and labor intensive.

Usually, in a single use camera, all of the film is pre-wound into thefilm spool area (sometimes called "pre-loading"), and, during picturetaking, film is withdrawn back into the cassette, one frame at a time.Single use APS cameras usually automatically close the light lock dooron the film cassette after all of the film has been rewound back intothe cassette. This is usually done by means of a film sensor or othermechanism.

No known single use APS camera has any built-in mechanism for openingthe light lock door after the film cassette has been loaded into thecamera, much less doing so with the back cover in place on the camera,and thus known single use APS cameras are not presently amenable to afilm loading process that can occur in non-darkroom conditions.

Many cameras contain at least one battery, and most all cameras withflashes have at least one battery, such as a size AA or AAA battery. Inthe prior art, these batteries are usually housed within a speciallycreated and specially allocated space in the camera that defines abattery compartment. Since the battery compartment requires additionalspace inside the camera (relative to the same camera without a batterycompartment), the overall size of a camera with a battery compartment isusually larger when compared to the same camera without a batterycompartment. Increasing the camera's overall size may be undesirable,because consumers may desire smaller cameras, and adding a separatebattery compartment may increase the cost of production. Moreover, insingle use cameras, the battery cannot be easily removed, or can beremoved only by destroying a portion of the camera or its packaging,because the battery compartment is sealed within the camera. Further,loading a battery into a single use camera pre-loaded with film may needto be done under darkroom conditions to avoid exposing the pre-loadedfilm.

It is desirable to provide a method for loading film, and a battery,into a single use APS camera that is simple and relatively labor free,and that does not require film or battery loading in darkroomconditions. It is also desirable to provide a single use APS camera thatfacilitates a non-darkroom film loading method. It is further desirableto provide a single use camera with a battery compartment that does notsignificantly increase the overall size of the camera (relative to thesame camera without a battery compartment), that permits a battery to beinserted into the camera in non-darkroom conditions, and alsofacilitates easy removal of the battery. The present invention achievesthese and other goals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the following summary, detailed description and appended claims, theterms "cassette" and "film cassette" refer to film containers generally,and such terms include APS (i.e., film safe) cassettes as well as 35 mmfilm cartridges, unless the context of usage indicates an intent torefer specifically to one type or the other. The terms "film safecassette" (and "APS film cassette"), and 35 mm film cartridge, are usedto refer to the specific types of film containers.

According to the present invention, there is provided: a method ofpre-loading a single use APS camera with film from a film safe cassettein non-darkroom conditions, and a single use APS camera that facilitatessuch a method; a single use, manually operated, APS camera that iscapable of both opening and closing the light lock door of the film safecassette; an APS camera that operates the light lock door by means ofthe camera's film advance mechanism; a method of loading a batteryinside the pre-wound film spool of a single use camera, in non-darkroomconditions, and a single use camera that facilitates such a method; and,a single use camera with a battery disposed within the film spool.

An APS camera according to the invention has a main body and a backcover securely affixed thereto. A film cassette compartment is disposedon one end, and a rotatable film spool is disposed in a film spoolcompartment on the other end. A film receiving slot is disposed in thespool, and a film path extends from the film cassette compartment to thefilm spool compartment. The camera is constructed such that, during afilm loading process as described herein, the only path for meaningfulamounts of light to enter the camera is via the film receiving slot andinto the film path, but the film path is designed so that meaningfulamounts of light cannot travel far enough there along toward the filmsafe cassette to expose film inside a film safe cassette whose lightlock door has been opened to permit feeding of film for the film loadingoperation. Depending on the design of the film path, the level ofambient light that can enter the film path without exposing the filminside of the film safe cassette will vary. Preferably, the ambientlight level in the assembly room during a film loading procedure is suchthat it allows for comfortable working conditions, but the assembly roomneed not be a dark room. For instance, the light level could be suchthat an assembler could read normal sized typed print or even fineprint.

A method of loading film from a film safe cassette into such a cameracomprises loading the film into the camera in non-darkroom conditions,such that light can enter at least a portion of the film path via theslot in the spool. The light lock door is opened (in the camera by meansdescribed below) and film is advanced from the film safe cassette towardthe spool; the spool is oriented so that the slot therein is alignedwith the path of travel of the film, and so that the advancement of thefilm causes a leading edge of the film to be received into the slot. Thespool is then rotated (preferably, by external drive means) so that filmis wound there around, thus blocking the light path through the slot andpreventing any further light from entering the film path. Preferably,the spool is rotated sufficiently such that all frames of thenon-exposed film are withdrawn from the film safe cassette and woundaround the spool, i.e, the film is pre-wound on the spool and the camerais pre-loaded. During picture taking, film is withdrawn back into thefilm safe cassette, one frame at a time, as each frame is exposed. In analternative embodiment, a spool driver is light tightedly inserted intothe film spool before the light lock door is opened, so as to preventlight from entering the film path.

A preferred embodiment of the camera further comprises a manual filmadvancing means, such as a thumb wheel and associated drive components,for advancing the film as above described, and for withdrawing orrewinding the film back into the film safe cassette. According to onefeature of the invention, the advancing means is coupled to a light lockdoor driver that performs the functions of both opening and closing thelight lock door. The light lock door driver engages a light lock dooractuator inside the film safe cassette and is responsive to rotation ofthe advancing means in one direction to open the light lock door, and isresponsive to rotation of the advancing means in the other direction toclose the light lock door when a film detection mechanism (sensor)detects that all film has been rewound. According to the film loadingmethod of the present invention, a film safe cassette is loaded into thecamera with the light lock door closed, through a cassette film loadingport in the bottom of the camera, as is common in APS cameras. Theadvancing means is rotated in a first direction (e.g., by rotating thethumb wheel in a first direction) to cause the light lock door driver toopen the light lock door; then, the light lock door driver is de-coupledfrom the advancing means so that further rotation thereof in the firstdirection is not impeded by the engagement of the light lock door driverwith the light lock door actuator inside the film safe cassette. Theadvancing means is continued to be rotated in the first direction,causing film to advance out of the film safe cassette, into the filmpath of the camera, and into the film slot in the spool, as abovedescribed. The spool is rotated as above described to pre-wind the filmon the spool and pre-load the camera. The camera is now ready forpicture taking.

After the camera has been pre-loaded, a preventer engages the advancingmeans and prevents any further rotation in the first direction. Now, theadvancing means can be rotated only in a second direction that isopposite to the first direction. During picture taking, the advancingmeans is rotated in the second direction to rewind the film back intothe film safe cassette, one frame at a time as exposures are taken, asis common. The film detection mechanism detects when all of the film hasbeen rewound, and in response thereto, allows the light lock door driverto become re-coupled to the advancing means. Further rotation of theadvancing means in the second direction causes the light lock doordriver to close the light lock door, whereby the film safe cassette isready to be removed for processing.

In the single use camera described herein, a tubular structure isprovided in the film spool compartment for receiving and winding filmthat is withdrawn from the film safe cassette. However, it is alsopossible to provide a single use camera wherein the film winds aboutitself (and not about any structure) in the film spool compartment andthe wound film itself defines a spool. In both cases, a heretoforeunused cylindrically shaped cavity exists within the spool. According toone aspect of the present invention, these cavities are advantageouslyused to house a battery, and thus camera size is not increased by theaddition of a battery compartment. Though this aspect of the presentinvention is described herein as employing a tubular or cylindricalstructure for the film spool, as used in the appended claims addressingthis aspect of the invention, except as expressly otherwise notedtherein, the terms "film spool" and "spool" mean both (i) a structure,such as a tube or other hollow cylindrical structure, about which filmis, or can be, wound in the film spool compartment, and (ii) film woundabout itself in the film spool compartment (i.e., the wound film itselfdefines a spool). Thus, in the first instance (i), the spool may or maynot have film wrapped therearound. According to this aspect of theinvention, there is provided a single use camera that includes a mainbody securely fastened to a back cover such that the back cover cannotbe easily opened or removed or cannot be opened or removed withoutdestroying at least a portion of the camera or the camera package. Afilm cassette, and a pre-wound film spool having a hollow core, aredisposed within the main body on opposing sides of a film exposing area.One end of the hollow core defines a battery receiving end having anopening to the underside of the camera, and a pair of electricalcontacts is mounted within the main body and arranged at opposing endsof the hollow core, with one of the electrical contacts being flexiblymounted adjacent the battery receiving end. A battery that has beeninserted into the battery receiving end is disposed in the core, and theelectrical contact adjacent the receiving end is bent over the batteryterminal. A tab or door light tightedly closes the opening to thebattery receiving end of the core, and is removable to extract thebattery. Another tab or door disposed on the underside of the camera andaligned with the film cassette is also removable to expose the filmcassette and permit removal of the cassette therethrough. The tabs ordoors are preferably sealed, or covered by packaging to prevent openingthereof to expose the film cassette and battery in normal use of thecamera by the end user. This aspect of the present invention isparticularly suited to (but not limited to) APS cameras because APS filmmanufacturers specify that the diameter of the wound film not be lessthan 11 mm. Advantageously, a typical size AA battery is about 14 mm indiameter, and therefore the diameter of the battery compartment requiredto house a size AA battery comports well with film manufacturers'specifications.

The herein described film loading method is facilitated by the manner inwhich a battery is loaded into the camera. A final step of pre-loadingthe camera with film and a battery involves inserting the battery insidethe film spool via the battery receiving opening to the core, which isthe same opening that is employed to externally pre-wind the film, thenclosing the opening by means of the aforesaid tab or door. This step mayalso be conducted in non-darkroom conditions.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty whichcharacterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a betterunderstanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtainedby its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form afurther part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, inwhich there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a single usecamera according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the camera of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view illustrating the manner in which a batteryis loaded into the camera of FIG. 1 according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear plan view of the camera of FIG. 1 with its back coverremoved, according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken through line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross section taken through line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken through line 7--7 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a camera according tothe present invention, showing additional details thereof.

FIG. 9 is a cross section taken through line 9--9 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view illustrating the cooperation among a filmsafe cassette employed in the camera of FIG. 1, a portion of a filmadvancing means therefor, and a light lock door driver;

FIG. 11 is a partial cut-away view of the right-most portion of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a cross section taken through line 12--12 of FIG. 4 andillustrates the position of the light lock door driver when a film safecassette is first loaded, and also after the driver has been operated toclose the light lock door;

FIG. 13 is a cross section taken through line 12--12 of FIG. 4 andillustrates the position of the light lock door driver after it has beenoperated to open the light lock door;

FIG. 14 is a cross section taken through line 12--12 of FIG. 4 andillustrates the advancing means in a disengaged status from the lightlock door driver;

FIG. 15 is a cross section taken through line 12--12 of FIG. 4 andillustrates film pre-loaded into the camera;

FIG. 16 is a cross section taken through line 12--12 and illustrates apreventer engaged with the advancing means so as to prevent rotation ofthe advancing means in the first direction, as above described; and

FIG. 17 is a partial cut away rear plan view of the camera of FIG. 2 andillustrates the film spool and a film spool driver.

FIGS. 18A-C illustrate a variation of the camera of FIGS. 1-17 thatemploys a rotatable tab that engages a spool portion of the camera.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designatecorresponding structure throughout the views, there is shown a preferredembodiment of an APS camera 10 according to the present invention, and amethod for loading film, and a battery, into the same in non-darkroomconditions. According to the preferred embodiment, the camera 10 is asingle use APS camera, as more fully described herein, but certainaspects of the invention are not limited to single use cameras or to APScameras, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, exceptas expressly noted in the following specification and claims. Forexample, the battery loading aspect of the present invention hasapplicability to single use cameras employing 35 mm film cartridges, andthe light lock door opening and closing aspect has applicability tore-usable (i.e., non-single use) APS cameras.

Camera 10 includes a main body 12 having a film cassette compartment 14,a film spool compartment 16, a rotatable film spool 18 in the film spoolcompartment 14, a back cover 20, a film advancing means 22 mountedwithin the main body 12 for advancing film 24 from a film cassette 26 inthe film cassette compartment 14 to the film spool 18 and from the filmspool 18 to the film cassette 26, and a film cassette light lock doordriver 28 for operating a film cassette light lock door 30 driven by theadvancing means 22. As best shown in FIG. 10, the illustrated filmcassette 26 is an APS (film safe) cassette.

In the illustrated embodiment of the camera 10, the main body 12 alsoincludes a front, or front cover, 32, of the camera 10. However, theterm "main body," as used herein and in the appended claims, is notintended to be so limited. Except as otherwise noted, or as shown in thedrawings, or except as the context and usage may indicate, the term"main body" is intended to mean both: (i) an inner body 34 of the camera10, as herein described, with an integral front 32, or with the frontcover 32 attached; and (ii) only the inner body 34 of the camera 10.Moreover, it is preferred that the embodiment of the camera disclosedherein, including the front cover 32, back cover 20 and main body 12(including inner body 34) be manufactured from a molded plastic.

The film spool 18 preferably has a film receiving slot 36. The filmreceiving slot 36 receives an edge 38 of the film 24 when the film 24 istransferred from the film cassette 26 to the film spool 18. FIGS. 12 and13 depict the slot 36 prior to film 24 being transferred to the filmspool 18. FIG. 14 illustrates the film 24 being transferred from thefilm cassette 26 and being inserted into the slot 36. FIG. 15illustrates the film 24 wound around the film spool 18 with the edge 38of the film 24 in the slot 36.

The advancing means 22 is depicted in FIGS. 4 and 10-15 and is rotatablymounted within the main body 12. The advancing means 22 includes amanual advance wheel 40, preferably in the form of a thumb wheel, adriving gear 42 and a shaft 44 for engaging the internal spool of thefilm cassette 26. As is clearly shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, since theadvance wheel 40 is common with the driving gear 42 and the shaft 44,rotation of the advance wheel 40 will cause rotation of the driving gear42 and the shaft 44. The shaft 44 mates with the film cassette 26 sothat rotation of the advance wheel 40 will cause film 24 to be drivenout of and withdrawn into the cassette 26 when the light lock door 30 isopen. Also illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 10-16 is the light lock doordriver 28. The light lock door driver 28 contains a segmented portion 46which has teeth 48 there around. As shown in FIGS. 12-16, the light lockdoor driver 28 is rotatably mounted within the main body 12. The lightlock door driver 28 has a shaft 50 (FIG. 10) that mates with an internalactuator in the cassette 26 so that rotation of the light lock doordriver 28 operates the light lock door 30 to either an open or closedposition. FIGS. 10 and 11 best illustrate the mating of the light lockdoor driver 28 with the cassette 26.

As shown best in FIGS. 10-16, the light lock door driver 28 isoperatively engageable and disengageable with the advancing means 22.When the advancing means 22 is coupled to (engaged with) the driver 28(FIGS. 12 and 13), rotation of the advancing means 22 will causerotation of the light lock door driver 28. Rotation of the light lockdoor driver 28 causes the light lock door 30 to change from an openposition to a closed position, or from a closed position to an openposition, as will become more apparent hereinafter.

Camera 10 also includes an actuating mechanism 52 for coupling anddecoupling the advancing means 22 to and from the driver 28. As shown inFIGS. 12-16, the actuating mechanism 52 includes a film sensor 54, aspring 56, a pivotable lever 60, and a coupling gear 62. The lever 60 ispivotally mounted within the main body 12 on a pin 64; spring 56 is alsomounted on pin 64. The sensor 54 and the coupling gear 62 are mounted tothe lever 60 as shown, and spring 56 has an arm 58 that urges against apost 66 on the lever 60. As is shown in FIGS. 12-16, the lever 60 andthe attached sensor 54 are biased by the spring 56 towards the backcover 20. The sensor 54 is urged against film 24 when film is present.It will be noted that the sensor 54 is located immediately adjacent tothe location where the light lock door 30 resides when a film safecassette 26 is present in the camera. As will become apparent, thispermits the sensor 54 to detect when all of the film has been rewound.As best seen in FIGS. 12-16, the coupling gear 62 couples the advancingmeans 22 (via the driving gear 42) to the driver 28 (via segmentedportion 46) when lever 60 is in a first position (FIGS. 12 and 13), andde-couples the advancing means 22 from the driver 28 when lever 60 is ina second position (FIGS. 14-16). As will become apparent hereinafter,the lever 60 is in the first position when no film 24 is in the portionof the film path 68a, and is in the second position either (i) during afilm loading procedure, or (ii) when film is present in the portion ofthe film path 68a. As will be appreciated, the entire film path isdefined in the Figures as comprising three portions: portion 68aadjacent the film cassette 26; portion 68c adjacent the film spool 18;and, portion 68b extending therebetween. The portion 68b thereforeincludes a portion behind a shutter and lens 70 of the camera 10 suchthat the portion 68b that is behind the shutter and lens 70 of thecamera defines a film exposing area of the camera 10.

FIG. 12 shows the coupling gear 62 engaged with the driving gear 42 andthe light lock door driver 28. Rotation of the advance wheel 40 rotatesdriving gear 42. With the coupling gear 62 engaged as shown in FIG. 12,rotation of the advance wheel 40 in a clockwise direction causesrotation of the coupling gear 62 in a counter-clockwise direction, whichin turn, causes rotation of the light lock door driver 28 in a clockwisedirection, as indicated by the arrows on each of the elements 28, 40 and62 in FIG. 12. Since shaft 50 engages the film cassette's internal lightlock door actuator, the clockwise rotation of the light lock door driver28 is operative to open the light lock door 30. FIG. 13 illustrates theposition of the light lock door driver 28 after it has been driven bythe advancing means to open the light lock door 30. Note that the sensor54 projects into the film path 68a along which film 24 will travel whenejected from the cassette 26.

FIG. 14 depicts the lever 60 in a retracted position. Lever 60 isretracted either manually, or by means of a fixture (not shown), afterthe light lock door 30 has been opened as above described. While lever60 is being retracted, it pivots about pin 64; retraction of the lever60 de-couples coupling gear 62 from light lock door driver 28, as shown.Thus, further rotation of advance wheel 40 cannot alter the position ofthe light lock door 30. However, the shaft 44 of the advancing meansremains engaged with the internal spool of film cassette 26 such thatrotation of the advancing means will rotate the internal spool, andfurther rotation of the advance wheel 40 in a clockwise direction willdrive film out of the cassette 26. Retraction of lever 60 also pulls thesensor 54 toward the front of the camera, and out of the film path 68a,as shown by the arrow inside the sensor 54 depicted in FIG. 14.

A film loading operation, and the attendant operation of the actuatingmechanism 52, the sensor 54, the advancing means 22 and the light lockdoor driver 28, are explained below in further detail with reference toFIGS. 12-15. With the main body 12 securely assembled to the back cover20 of the camera 10, a film cassette 26 is inserted into the filmcassette compartment 14 via a film cassette loading port 72 in thebottom in the camera (see FIGS. 4 and 11) so that the shafts 44 and 50engage their respective counterparts inside the film cassette 26. A tabor door 74 is securely mounted to light tightedly cover the filmcassette loading port 72. Lever 60 and driver 28 will be oriented asshown in FIG. 12, i.e., the lever 60 will not be retracted, the couplinggear 62 will be engaged with the driver 28, and the sensor 54 willproject into the film path 68a. Clockwise rotation of the advance wheel40 will open the light lock door 30, as above described. FIG. 13illustrates the orientation of these elements at this juncture. Furtherrotation of the advance wheel 40 is inhibited by a stop 76, as describedbelow.

Next, the lever 60 is retracted either manually or with the aid of afixture (not shown). This de-couples the coupling gear 62 from thedriver 28, thus freeing advance wheel 40 to again rotate clockwise. Thisis shown in FIG. 14. Retraction of the lever 60 also pulls the sensor 54in toward the front of the camera 10 (i.e., in the direction shown bythe arrow inside sensor 54 in FIG. 14), so that the sensor 54 isdisposed out of the film path 68a. With the lever 60 retracted, theadvance wheel 40 is further rotated clockwise to drive film 24 out ofcassette 26 and into the film path 68a, b, c. The spool 18 has beenpreviously rotated so that the film receiving slot 36 is aligned withthe path of travel of the film 24 along the film path 68c. As theadvance wheel 40 is continued to be rotated clockwise to drive the film,a leading edge 38 of the film 24 is received into the slot 36, as alsoshown in FIG. 14. The film installer may look into the opening 80 toensure that the leading edge 38 has been received into the slot 36before proceeding further. At this juncture, the lever 60 may bereleased. The spring 56 biases the lever 60 toward its non-retractedposition (i.e., toward the back cover 20). However, as shown in FIG. 15,the sensor 54 contacts the film 24, thus preventing the lever 60 fromfully returning to its original position, and thus keeping the driver 28de-coupled from the coupling gear 62. Hence, the light lock door 30 willstill not be operated by rotation of advance wheel 40.

Film is withdrawn from the cassette 26 and pre-wound onto the spool 18by means of an external driver 82 that is adapted to engage the interiorperipheral surface of spool 18. See FIGS. 15 and 17. Driver 82 isrotated so as to rotate spool 18 via opening 80 in the bottom of thecamera until pre-winding has been completed. The pre-wound film on spool18 and the cassette 26 are thus arranged at opposite sides of the camera10, and the film 24 traverses the film exposing area of the camera. Atthis juncture, the driver 82 is removed, and unless a battery is to beinserted into the camera 10 (as discussed more fully below), a door ortab 84 is secured in place to light tightedly cover the opening 80. Asdiscussed more fully hereinafter, the spool 18 is mounted rotatedlywithin the main body 12 in a light tight manner such that the onlymeaningful light path into the camera exists via the slot 36, and thisexists only until film has been wound onto spool 18. The camera 10 isnow ready to take exposures.

As exposures are taken, film is rewound from the spool 18 back to thefilm cassette 26, one frame at a time, by counterclockwise rotation ofthe advance wheel 40. After the last frame has been exposed, continuedcounterclockwise rotation of the advance wheel 40 pulls the leading edge38 of the film 24 from the slot 36, and across the sensor 54. At thispoint, as is shown in FIG. 12, the sensor 54 is no longer restrained bythe film 24. The bias exerted by the spring 56 urges the sensor 54 backinto the film path 68a, and the lever 60 biases back to its originalposition, i.e., towards the back cover, causing the coupling gear 62 tore-couple with the driver 28. Further counter-clockwise rotation of theadvance wheel 40 thus rotates driver 28 in a counter-clockwisedirection, thus closing the light lock door 30.

Preferably, the driver 28 cooperates with a pair of stops, an openingstop 76 and a closing stop 78, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. When thedriver 28 is rotated clockwise, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 13, theteeth 48 of the driver 28 are driven against the opening stop 76, thuspreventing further rotation of the driver 28, and preventing damage tothe light lock door actuator inside the film cassette 26. Likewise, whenthe driver 28 has been rotated counter-clockwise, the teeth 48 of thedriver 28 are driven against the closing stop 78, again preventingfurther rotation of the driver 28. See FIG. 12. When the driver 28 isprevented from rotating by the stops 76, 78, the advance wheel 40 isalso prevented from rotating, unless it has been disengaged from thedriver 28 as described above. Since the advance wheel 40 cannot berotated once the driver 28 reaches the closing stop 78, the closing stop78 also functions to inform the camera user when all of the film 24 hasbeen rewound into the film cassette 26.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the camera may also include a claw preventer88 mounted to the front cover 32 of the main body 12 and cooperatingwith the advance wheel 40. The claw preventer 88 prevents rotation ofthe advance wheel 40 in a clockwise direction, i.e., the direction thatdrives film 24 out of the film cassette 26. The claw preventer 88 doespermit counter-clockwise rotation of the advance wheel 40, i.e., in thedirection that rewinds film 24 back into the film cassette 26.

During the initial phases of the film loading process described above,the front cover 32 is not assembled to the inner body 34. Consequently,the claw preventer 88 attached to the front cover 32 is not engaged withthe film advance wheel 40 mounted on the inner body 34. Hence, the clawpreventer 88 does not prevent the above described clockwise rotation ofthe advance wheel 40. After film 24 has been pre-wound onto the filmspool 18, the front cover 32 is affixed to the inner body 34 and theclaw preventer 88 is permitted to engage the advance wheel 40 as shownin FIG. 16. It should be noted that no portion of the film path 68a, b,c (and hence none of the film 24) is exposed when front cover 32 isremoved.

The camera 10 may also include a battery 90, for example, if the camerahas a flash unit. Preferably, as more fully described below, a batterycompartment is defined inside the film spool 18. A pair of electricalcontacts 92 and 94 are disposed adjacent opposite ends of the spool 18and are arranged to make contact with the battery terminals of, e.g., asize AA battery. Contact 94 is preferably flexibly mounted to the mainbody 12 as shown in FIG. 3 to facilitate battery loading. In particular,after the film has been pre-wound on the spool 18 as above described,the battery 90 may be inserted into a hollow core 96 of the spool viaopening 80, and the contact 94 may be bent there over. Tab 84 lighttightedly closes the opening 80, and the raised portions 86 thereof urgethe upper terminal of the battery against contact 92 while urging thecontact 94 against the lower terminal of the battery. See FIGS. 3-6 and8. Battery 90 is preferably a size AA battery and the hollow core 96 hasa diameter and length sized accordingly, but the invention may becarried out with other battery sizes, such as size AAA or even size Cbatteries.

The tabs 74 and 84 are preferably installed in such a manner thatprevents easy removal by an end user, e.g., by locking mechanisms,bonding, adhesives, etc.

As best shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 18, main body 12 has a portion 98,defining a collar, that light tightedly envelopes the spool 18,including the bottom periphery thereof. See also FIG. 8. Thus, once thefilm cassette 26 has been inserted into the camera and the film cassettetab 74 has been placed on the film cassette loading port 72, and beforethe tab 84 has been placed over opening 80 below the spool in the bottomof the camera, the only path for meaningful amounts of light to enterthe camera is via the opening 80 and slot 36. This path is illustratedby an arrow 100 in FIG. 12. However, once the leading edge 38 of thefilm has entered the slot 36 and the spool 18 has been rotated evenslightly, this path is eliminated because, as seen in FIGS. 14 and 15,the film forming the leading edge 38 blocks that entry point. It hasbeen found that the above described camera design also prevents anysubstantial amount of light from traveling far enough along the portionsof the film path 68c, b to expose film in the cassette 26 when the lightlock door 30 has been opened. It will be appreciated that this is asubstantial feature of the invention, since, in the above describedpractice of the invention, there is a period of time between the timethat the light lock door 30 is first opened and the time that the filmedge 38 finally blocks the slot 36. If any substantial amount of lightwere permitted to travel far enough along the film path during thisinterval, then the film inside the cassette could be exposed. In thepractice of the invention, however, only a leader portion of the film,i.e., the portion that is first withdrawn from the cassette 26 to theslot 36, can be exposed.

As shown in FIG. 9 (which is a cross section of camera 10 taken throughthe film exposing area, as shown in FIG. 2), the back cover 20 has apressure plate 102 that extends toward the front of the camera 10. Themain body 12 has a recessed portion that extends toward the back cover20 of the camera 10, film guides 106 that guide the film 24 through theportion 68b of the film path and film rails 108 that the film 24 restsbetween in a portion of the film path 68b. There is a gap g formedbetween the pressure plate 102 and the recessed portion 104, definingthat part of the film path 68b near the center (film exposing area) ofthe camera 10.

Using a standard APS film cassette, experiments were carried with oneembodiment of a camera 10 having the following characteristics, and inan illuminated room having the following light level, and no film in thecassette was found to be exposed:

    ______________________________________    Film thickness:         0.1     mm.    Width w.sub.1 of slot 36 at inner                            1.0     mm.    periphery of spool 18 (see FIG. 13):    Width w.sub.2 of slot 36 at outer                            2.0     mm.    periphery of spool 18 (see FIG. 13):    Length 1.sub.1 of slot 36 (see FIG. 5):                            46      mm.    Length 1.sub.2 of film path 68a,b,c (see FIG. 16):                            54      mm.    Width of gap g (see FIG. 9):                            0.5-0.6 mm.    Light level in room     LV 6-LV 7    (measured in light value (LV):    ______________________________________

In an alternative film loading method, the driver 82 is inserted intothe spool 18 in a light tight manner (i.e., to prevent light fromentering the interior 96 of spool 18) before the light lock door 30 isopened. Then the light lock door 30 is opened, and the leading edge 38of film 24 is advanced into the slot 36, as above described. Next, thedriver 82 is rotated, as also above described. This prevents any lightfrom entering the film path 68a, b, c anytime during a film loadingprocedure. Thus, according to this embodiment of the film loadingmethod, light entering the camera to expose film is not a concernbecause, when the driver is removed, spool 18 will have been pre-woundand no light can enter via slot 36 at any time.

FIGS. 18A-18C illustrate a variation of the above described camera. Inthe camera of FIG. 18, the tab 84 that covers opening 80 has beenreplaced with a slotted rotatable tab 200 having a plurality of prongs202. In the camera of FIG. 18, the opening 80 is circular so as torotatably receive the tab 200. Slot 206 is adapted to be engaged with ascrewdriver or other rotatable apparatus so as to rotate the tab 200after it has been inserted in to the opening 80. Prongs 202 arepreferably resilient so that they can be flexed radially inwardly,toward the center of tab 200, to permit insertion of tab into opening80. Tab 200 is then urged into opening 80 until the circumferentialgroove 204 light tightedly and rotatably engages with the correspondingportion of the camera body 208. After insertion, prongs 202 arepermitted to relax and frictionally engage the inner periphery of spool18, so that rotation of tab 200 also rotates spool 18. Thus, the cameraof FIG. 18 may be loaded by first inserting the tab 200 into the opening80, then scrolling the film across the film path and into the spool 18as above described. Pre-winding is then accomplished by externallyrotating the tab 200 to rotate the spool 18.

In the practice of certain aspects of the invention, the film in filmspool compartment 16 and wound around spool 18 may be exposed film thathas been withdrawn from the cassette 26 only as exposures are taken; theexposed film is then rewound back into the cassette 26 before the camerais opened, as is typical in most re-usable cameras.

The preferred embodiment of the invention has been described as having acylindrical or tubular structure that defines the spool 18. As set forthabove, however, it should be understood that certain aspects of theinvention are not limited in scope to this embodiment, and an embodimentthat does not employ any such structure is contemplated. For example,the film 24 may simply wind about itself in the film spool compartment16, and the cavity formed therein defines the battery compartment. Thus,as used in the claims, and except as noted otherwise, the terms "spool"and "film spool" are intended to encompass such embodiment.

Other portions of the camera 10 illustrated in the drawings are wellknown in the art, and no further explanation thereof is required.

Preferably, the camera 10 is a plastic single use camera, as describedin the background section above. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, themain body 12 and back cover 20 are secured together by locking means,screws, adhesive, thermal bonding etc. prior to the above described filmloading process in such manner that the back cover 20 is not easilyremoved by the end user. As is typical, and as depicted by the heavydashed lines 110 in FIGS. 1, 2, 8 and 17, packaging, such as adhesivebacked paper, cardboard or even plastic, preferably surrounds at leastportions of the camera 10. As is common, this packaging contains indicathat points out various parts of the camera (shutter, flash chargebutton, etc.) and/or instructions for use. As is also common, it ispreferred that this packaging must be removed and destroyed, at least inpart, to open or dissemble the camera to remove the film cassette 26and/or battery 90 from the camera. Thus, it is also preferred that thispackaging cover at least tab 74 and/or tab 84, and a portion of backcover 20 so that destruction of at least part of the packaging must bedestroyed to remove tab 84 (to remove the battery), to remove tab 74 (toremove the film cassette) or to remove the back cover 20. Although it isknown that these cameras may be recycled, reloading film therein usuallyrequires removal of the back cover 20 (except in the practice of theabove described film loading aspect of the present invention), and hencedestruction of at least a portion of the packaging or even, in somecases, destruction of at least a portion of the camera body.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrativeonly, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape,size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention tothe full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the termsin-which the appended claims are expressed.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a camera having a film cassette compartment atone end, a film spool compartment at the other end, a film pathextending between the film cassette compartment and the film spoolcompartment, and a manually rotatable advancing means for advancingfilm, a method of loading film in the film spool compartment comprisingthe steps of:a) inserting an APS film cassette loaded with unexposedfilm in the film cassette compartment with a light lock door of the APSfilm cassette closed; b) rotating the advancing means to open the lightlock door of the APS film cassette and to drive film out of thecassette, across the film path and into the film spool compartment; and,c) winding film into the film spool compartment from the APS filmcassette.
 2. Method according to claim 1 wherein the camera is a singleuse camera having a main body and a separate back cover fixedlyassembled to the main body, and wherein step (b) is performed with atleast the back cover assembled to the main body to cover the filmcassette compartment, film spool compartment and film path.
 3. Methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the camera further comprises a port on anunderside thereof in registration with the film cassette compartment,and step (a) comprises inserting the film cassette into the camera viathe port, and light tightedly closing the port after the film has beeninserted.
 4. Method according to claim 1 wherein each of said stepsoccurs in non-darkroom conditions and without exposing any substantialportion of the film to any substantial amount of light.
 5. Methodaccording to claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises rotating the advancingmeans in a first direction, and wherein, after film loading hasoccurred, the camera is adapted to take exposures, one frame at a time,by rotating the advancing means in a second direction opposite to thefirst direction to withdraw film back into the cassette.
 6. Methodaccording to claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises manually rotating theadvance wheel.
 7. Method according to claim 1 further comprising thestep of inserting a battery inside the film spool compartment.
 8. Methodaccording to claim 7 wherein the camera further comprises a port on anunderside thereof in registration with the film spool compartment andsaid battery inserting step comprises inserting the battery into thewound film via the port, and light tightedly closing the port after thebattery has been inserted.
 9. Method according to claim 1 wherein step(c) comprises engaging a rotatable portion of the camera via an externalwinding means and rotating the external winding means to wind the film.10. Method according to claim 9 wherein the rotatable portion comprisesa member disposed in the film spool compartment, the member having afilm engagement portion for receiving a leader portion of the film, andstep (c) comprises rotating the member to wind film there around. 11.Method according to claim 10 wherein the member is a tube and step (c)comprises inserting the external winding apparatus inside the tube. 12.Method according to claim 10 wherein the rotatable portion furthercomprises an exteriorly accessible portion, and step (c) comprisesengaging the exteriorly accessible portion with the external windingmeans.
 13. Method according to claim 5 further comprising the step of(d) preventing the advancing means from rotating in the first directionafter the camera has been loaded.
 14. Method according to claim 13wherein the camera comprises a preventer for preventing the advancingmeans from being rotated in the first direction, and step (d) comprisesassembling the preventer to the camera after step (c) has beenperformed.
 15. Method according to claim 2 further comprising the stepof packaging the camera so as to permit an end user to take exposureswithout removal of the packaging and such that the film cassette cannotbe removed without at least partial removal of or at least partialdestruction of at least one of said packaging, back cover, or main body.16. Method according to claim 2 further comprising the step of packagingthe camera so as to permit an end user to take exposures without removalof the packaging and such that the camera cannot be re-loaded with freshfilm without at least partial removal of or at least partial destructionof at least one of said packaging, back cover, or main body.
 17. Methodaccording to claim 2 further comprising the step of packaging the cameraso as to permit an end user to take exposures without removal of thepackaging and such that removal of the back cover requires at leastpartial removal of or at least partial destruction of at least part ofthe packaging.
 18. A camera loaded in accordance with the method ofclaim 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 15, 16 or 17, the camera having a mechanism coupledto the advancing means that cooperates with and opens the light lockdoor in response to said rotation of the advancing means.
 19. In acamera of the type designed for single use by an end user and that ispackaged with a film cassette in a film cassette compartment andpre-wound unexposed film withdrawn from the film cassette disposed in afilm spool compartment, and wherein a manual advance wheel is rotated inone direction to wind the film into the film cassette as exposures aretaken, the film cassette having a light lock door, a method of loadingthe camera in non-darkroom conditions without exposing any substantialportion of the film comprising the steps of:a) with the light lock doorclosed, inserting the film cassette into the film cassette compartmentwith a back cover assembled to the camera; b) opening the light lockdoor; (c) rotating the manual advance wheel in another directionopposite to said one direction to cause unexposed film to scroll out ofthe film cassette and into the film spool compartment; and, (d) windingthe unexposed film into a spool in the film spool compartment. 20.Method according to claim 19 wherein the film cassette is an APS filmcassette and step (b) comprises opening the light lock door in responseto rotation of the manual advance wheel in said another direction. 21.Method according to claim 19 further comprising the step of packagingthe camera so as to permit the end user to take exposures withoutremoving the packaging and such that removal of the back cover requiresat least partial removal or at least partial destruction of at leastpart of the packaging.
 22. Method according to claim 19 furthercomprising the step of packaging the camera so as to permit an end userto take exposures without removing the packaging and such that the filmcassette cannot be removed, and such that the camera cannot be re-loadedwith fresh film, without at least partial removal of or at least partialdestruction of at least one of said packaging, back cover, or main body.23. Method according to step 19 further comprising the step of insertinga battery inside the spool.
 24. Method according to claim 19 whereinstep (a) comprises inserting the film cassette via an opening in anunderside of the camera.
 25. Method according to claim 19 furthercomprising the step of preventing the manual advance wheel from beingrotated in said one direction at a time after step (b) has beenperformed.
 26. Method according to claim 25 wherein said preventing stepis performed after step (c) has been completed.
 27. Method according toclaim 19 wherein step (c) comprises engaging a rotatable portion of thecamera via an external winding means and rotating the external windingmeans to wind the film.
 28. A camera loaded in accordance with themethod of claim 19, 20, 21, 22 or 23, the camera having a mechanism thatopens the light lock door in response to rotation of the manual advancewheel in said another direction.
 29. In an APS camera of the type forsingle use by an end user and that is packaged with an APS film cassettein a film cassette compartment and pre-wound unexposed film withdrawnfrom the film cassette disposed in a film spool compartment, the filmcassette having a light lock door, and wherein a manual advance wheel isrotated in one direction to wind the film into the film cassette asexposures are taken, and wherein an underside of the camera has firstand second openings generally aligned with the film cassette compartmentand film spool compartment, respectively, the first and second openingsbeing light tightedly sealed closed after film has been loaded into thecamera, a method of assembling the camera comprising the steps of:a)inserting the APS film cassette into said film cassette compartment viathe first opening with the unexposed film rolled entirely within thefilm cassette and with the light lock door closed and with a back coverassembled to the camera, and sealing the first opening; b) rotating saidmanual advance wheel in another direction opposite to said one directionto open the light lock door and scroll a leader portion of the film outof the APS film cassette and into the film spool compartment; and, c)winding unexposed film from the film cassette into the film spoolcompartment with externally rotatable apparatus.
 30. Method according toclaim 29 wherein the rotational apparatus engages a rotatable portion ofthe camera to wind the film.
 31. Method according to claim 29 whereinthe rotational apparatus is inserted inside the film spool compartmentvia the second opening to wind said film.
 32. Method according to claim30 wherein the rotatable portion comprises a tube disposed in the filmspool compartment.
 33. Method according to claim 29 further comprisingthe step of inserting a battery inside the unexposed film wound in thefilm spool compartment via the second opening, further comprising thestep of sealing the second opening.
 34. Method according to claim 29wherein said camera further comprises a tubular member defining a spooldisposed in the film spool compartment, the spool having a slot thereinadapted to receive the leader portion of the film, and wherein step (b)comprises scrolling the leader portion of the film into said slot. 35.Method according to claim 34 wherein the tube is rotatable to wind thefilm to perform step (c), and wherein, after said leader portion hasbeen received into the slot and said tube has been slightly rotated,said leader portion substantially blocks light from entering a film pathof the camera via the slot and said camera is thereafter substantiallylight tight with said first opening sealed closed and said secondopening open.
 36. Method according to claim 29 wherein said steps arecarried out in non-darkroom conditions.
 37. Method according to claim 29further comprising the step of packaging the camera so as to permit anend user to take exposures without removal of the packaging and suchthat the film cassette cannot be removed without at least partialremoval of or at least partial destruction of at least one of saidpackaging, back cover, or main body.
 38. Method according to claim 29further comprising the step of packaging the camera so as to permit anend user to take exposures without removal of the packaging and suchthat the camera cannot be re-loaded with fresh film without at leastpartial removal of or at least partial destruction of at least one ofsaid packaging, back cover, or main body.
 39. Method according to claim29 further comprising the step of packaging the camera so as to permitan end user to take exposures without removal of the packaging and suchthat removal of the back cover requires at least partial removal of orat least partial destruction of at least part of the packaging.
 40. Acamera assembled according to the method of claim 29, 33, 37, 38 or 39,the camera having a mechanism that opens the light lock door in responseto said rotation of the manual advance wheel.
 41. A method for use in anAPS camera comprising the steps of:a) inserting an APS film cassetteinto an underside of the camera so as to engage a light lock door of thefilm cassette with an actuator engagable with a user rotatable filmadvance of the camera and to engage a spool internally of the filmcassette with a shaft of the film advance; b) sealing the camera so asto prevent any substantial light from entering a portion of the camerathat can expose film in the film cassette when the light lock door isopened; and, c) manually rotating a manual advance wheel that is a partof the film advance in a clockwise direction to cause the actuator toopen the light lock door and to cause film to advance out of the filmcassette.
 42. Method according to claim 41 further comprising the stepsof:(d) manually rotating the advance wheel in the clockwise direction toadvance the film across a film exposing area of the camera and into afilm spool compartment of the camera; and, (e) winding film from thefilm cassette into a spool in the film spool compartment.
 43. Methodaccording to claim 42 wherein step (d) comprises advancing a leaderportion of the film into a slot in a rotatable tubular member in thefilm spool compartment, and step (e) comprises rotating the tubularmember to wind the film into the spool around the tubular member, aninterior of the tubular member being exposed to ambient light via anopening in the bottom of the camera while at least steps (a)-(d) arebeing performed, the method further comprising the step of (f) sealingthe opening after step (e) has been performed, the slot providing anopening for the light to enter a film path of the camera before theleader portion has been advanced therein, the leader portion in the slotblocking entry of any substantial amount of light into the film pathafter the tubular member has been slightly rotated to wind film therearound.
 44. Method according to claim 43 further comprising the step ofinserting a battery into the tubular member via the opening beforeperforming step (f).
 45. A camera having film pre-loaded into the filmspool compartment according to the method of claim 41, 42, 43, or 44,the camera having a mechanism, including said actuator, that opens thelight lock door in response to said rotation of the manual advancewheel.
 46. In a single use camera having a single user operable manualadvance wheel, a method of loading film from a film cassette disposed ina film cassette compartment to a film spool compartment, the filmcassette having a light lock door, the method comprising the steps of:a)with a back cover assembled to the camera that fully covers a film pathof the camera, and with the film cassette disposed in the film cassettecompartment and in engagement with a shaft of the manual advance wheeland with the light lock door initially closed, opening the light lockdoor and manually rotating the manual advance wheel to advance film fromthe film cassette, across the film path, and to the film spoolcompartment; then, b) winding the film into the film spool compartment.47. Method according to claim 46 wherein the advance wheel is rotatablein a first direction to wind film from the film spool compartment intothe film cassette as exposures are taken, and step (a) comprisesrotating the advance wheel in a second direction opposite to the firstdirection, the method further comprising the step of preventing themanual advance wheel from being rotated in the second direction afterstep (b) has been performed.
 48. Method according to claim 47 whereinthe film cassette is an APS film cassette and wherein step (a) comprisesopening the light lock door in response to an initial rotation of themanual advance wheel in the second direction.
 49. Method according toclaim 46 further comprising the step of inserting a battery within thefilm wound in the film spool compartment.
 50. A camera loaded accordingto the method of claim 46, the camera having a mechanism that opens thelight lock door in response to said rotation of the manual advancewheel.
 51. In a camera of the type that employs a film cassette having alight lock door that is movable between open and closed positions androtatable advancing means for advancing film between the film cassetteand a film spool compartment, a method comprising the steps of:a)loading the film cassette into the film cassette compartment with thelight lock door closed, the advancing means engaging a light lock dooractuator inside the film cassette; b) rotating the advancing means toopen the light lock door; and c) preventing further rotation of theadvancing means from operating the light lock door actuator.
 52. Methodaccording to claim 51 further comprising the step of continuing torotate the advancing means to drive film out of the cassette, across afilm path of the camera, and into the film spool compartment.
 53. Methodaccording to claim 52 further comprising the step of winding film fromthe cassette into the film spool compartment.
 54. Method according toclaim 52 wherein the advancing means comprises a thumb wheel and saidsteps of rotation comprise manually rotating the thumb wheel.
 55. Methodaccording to claim 52 further comprising the step of inserting a batteryinside the film spool compartment.
 56. Method according to claim 53wherein each of said steps is carried out in non-darkroom conditions.57. Method according to claim 52 further comprising the step ofpackaging the camera so as to permit an end user to take exposureswithout removal of the packaging and wherein the camera cannot bere-loaded with fresh film without at least partial removal of or atleast partial destruction of at least part of said packaging.